One of the aims of joining a photographic club is to improve your photographic skills. One does this by attending meetings, talking to other members and listening to comment and criticism from members and judges when displaying your prints and slides in club competitions and exhibitions.  There comes a time, however, when you may feel the need to test your skills against a wider audience of your photographic peers and receive recognition for the standard achieved.  One such opportunity open to members is to submit a panel of your work to the Royal Photographic Society (RPS) for assessment for the award of a Distinction.

Three levels of Distinction may be awarded: Licentiate (LRPS), Associate (ARPS) and Fellow (FRPS).  As one might expect, these awards represent an increasing level of attainment in skills and artistic interpretation.  Applications are made by submitting panels of prints, slides or audio visual material.  The criteria associated with each award are set out in an information pack which can be obtained from the RPS.  In addition, the RPS hold Advisory Sessions at which members of the Assessment Panels give advice to intending applicants during which successful submissions are displayed.  Applicants are also encouraged to bring and present their work for comment during these sessions.  Applicants or intending applicants may also attend the Assessment Panels for Licentiate and Associate awards with a view to gaining experience in the assessment process and the standards required.

You do not need to be a member of the RPS to submit an application for an award but you must become a member before an Award can be made.  Full details of the requirements and process for submissions can be obtained from:

Distinctions Department The Royal Photographic Society
Fenton House
122 Wells Road
Bath
BA2  3AH

Tel. 01225 325763